Beyond Magic With DMC
8pm, National Geographic
DMC (Drummond Money-Coutts to his mum) describes himself as a “card shark and illusionist”. In this new series he is exploring various forms of magic, and in the first episode he looks at the world of illusions and perception, performing classic card and disappearing tricks. He travels to Barcelona to watch a master of traditional illusion at work and performs at the Plaça Nova, before doing a final grand illusion in London, as once performed by Houdini himself. Worth a watch if only for the gasps from the audience. Bim Adewunmi
Life Story
9pm, BBC1
Tonight, David Attenborough’s all-encompassing series on the journey of life focuses on finding a home. Because they’re no fools, the team starts with cute puppies. A pack of hunting dogs frolic in a thicket on a Zambian plane. Aw, aren’t they sweet … Oh, is that an 8ft python heading right for them? Nature, what hast though donest? A shipwreck near Fiji is home to the uncanny remora fish, which hang off its walls waiting for sharks to piggy-back on. Astonishing photography obtained by people truly hell-bent on getting their shot. Julia Raeside
Peaky Blinders
9pm, BBC2
As maddening as this show can be – the modern score, the fact every conversation begins with the phrase, “So, gentlemen …” – Peaky Blinders has found its place this season, even if that place is camper than you might expect. Tonight, Tommy has to perform a political assassination to settle his debt to Campbell, but must first negotiate terms with Alfie Solomons (Tom Hardy). Can he conclude business satisfactorily, or will “the red right hand of the Ulster Volunteer Force” clobber him with their Nick Cave references first? John Robinson
The Knick
9pm, Sky Atlantic
Less sympathetic by the second, Clive Owen’s Dr Thackery is now treating his black second-in-command Dr Edwards with bullying contempt, the latter running his own underground surgery just to get near an operating table. Meanwhile, health inspector Jacob Speight infiltrates New York high society while investigating a typhoid outbreak, and Thackery visits an ex-lover after performing some horrific proto-reconstructive surgery on her. The gore, presented with a documentary coolness, renders it almost unbearably visceral. Rachel Aroesti
Scrotal Recall
10pm, Channel 4
This unlikely romcom starring folk singer Johnny Flynn as a mild-mannered STI sufferer draws to a close. As usual, Luke (Daniel Ings) is the one compelling Dylan (Flynn) into action, as the two search for the latter’s ex, Phoebe, to tell her she might have chlamydia. There’s a shock discovery for the lads and more flashback fodder, before present-day Luke forces Dylan to make a decision about Evie (Antonia Thomas). Will he confess his feelings to her? Hannah J Davies
When Fred Met Rose
10pm, Channel 5
When Fred West met his wife-to-be Rosemary Letts in 1968, it ultimately resulted in the abuse and murder of at least 11 women and girls. What drove them to this deplorable insanity is explored here, often using tawdry and regrettably cheap reconstructions, should the viewer be unable to visualise the information. That aside, this is a grimly absorbing – if voyeuristic – glimpse of the Wests’ upbringings, littered with abuse and violence not dissimilar to that which they would later subject others, including their own children. Ben Arnold
Detectorists
10pm, BBC4
Series one of Mackenzie Crook’s brooding sitcom bows out tonight, with Crook’s character Andy vowing to quit the metal detecting game in order to win back girlfriend Becky. Predictably, it doesn’t last long, especially since the high-stakes land at Bishop’s Farm has been deserted by the police excavators, leaving the amateur detectorists to have another root around for their fortune. Meanwhile, Lance (Toby Jones) sees the light regarding his ex-wife, and a treasure-related revelation leaves the door for a second series wide open. RA
Golf World Championship
3am, Sky Sports 4
Shanghai’s Sheshan International Golf Club plays host to the final world championships event of 2014, pitting competitors from the US, European, Sunshine, Asian and Australasian tours against each other. Global golfing No 1 Rory McIlroy heads the list of contenders for the crown. With the winners of the four majors and of the last four world golf championships taking part, expect the $7m purse to be so keenly contested this might resemble a remake of It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. Mark Jones
